Apple now holds the patent for rectangular device with rounded corners

As unbelievable as it may seem, the design for a rectangular device with rounded corners is now officially in Apple's portfolio of intellectual property. Patent number D670,286, which the company filed back in 2010, has been issued by the USPTO on November 6, and within it is described "the ornamental design for a portable display device", as pictured below. In other words, the majority of tablet manufacturers could potentially get sued by Apple for selling products that look too much like an iPad. But is that really going to happen?

Well, not necessarily, even though most of the tablets on the market today are indeed shaped like rectangles with rounded corners. A closer look at the patent – at the images it contains, to be more specific, reveals that Apple is describing the outer edge of a tablet device, as indicated by the solid line it is drawn with. The dashed contours are just there so that the device that is pictured would look like a thing (yes, it is obviously a first-gen iPad). But in its current form, the patent could be ruled not specific enough, meaning that it might not be useful against tablets that look similar to what is being pictured. Moreover, it might be good only against tablets with a screen ratio of 4:3, which won't be of much use to Apple since the plethora of Android slates sport widescreen displays with aspect ratios of about 16:9 or 16:10.

Long story short, it is fascinating to know that a rounded rectangle can really be patented, even though some thought that wasn't actually possible. However, that does not guarantee that the patent war between Apple and the rest of the tech world will be fueled by the issuing of the aforementioned patent. Or at least we hope it won't. Nevertheless, this whole story brings forth an interesting argument – do we need a fundamental change in the way patents are being evaluated by the USPTO? Let us know what you think about that down in the comments!

Ok, I'm running to the US Patent Office to apply for a patent on "round,black in color rubber made objects". Now all tire manufacturers past,present and future will have to pay me!!! Is that Apple's line of reasoning?

i was interested in hearing a reply to justify backing this up. basically you want Ford to have all other vehicles stopped and any other first creator to seize the ability for growth and competition? this isn't just a feature or gesture its a design so simple that otherwise youre ok with people having to by triangle, round, or pentagon shaped devices if they don't want apple. i hate to say it but you're an idiot i didn;t want to go there but as im typing you just said hitler had every right to weed out any other options

When searching the USPTO's registry, I found that no one has yet patented "a method for obtaining oxygen for use in cellular respiration." Upon this discovery, I promptly filed for said patent. Within a matter of years, I will sue no fewer than 7 billion people for violation of my patent.

All this, because protecting my completely original idea is perfectly moral.

meh...its getting tiring how hard Apple is trying to make a quick buck....its pretty clear that they realize they're on their decline because of their attitude...
Apple enough already....just make a winner device...I am sure everybody loves a good device if you can provide the customers with one!

Just try suing Google and the whole Android community...I would love to see that

106.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

Finally, the blame is being placed in the correct place. We can argue up and down about Apple's lawsuits, but in reality, the beef should be with the patent office that allows this crap to go through. Not for a moment would I have awarded Apple this patent.

109.Aeires (unregistered)

Getting the patent is one thing, using it in malicious manners is another. Apple is not innocent in some of their lawsuits, they are using patents to bully opposition and just because they had them awarded from the patent office doesn't make it right.

This is absolutely what is wrong with the patent office...THIS PATENT IS CRIMINAL. I don't understand why the regulations on what is being patented isn't made to be more specific??? for instance... why isn't the corner radius a requirement??

how can such a non specific patent be passed when there is prior art already in existence... why is Google's drop down notification tray still pending!!!!!

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